Do we not have an Ashes thread?

[Chris Plumb]

Vagabond:

McGrath must be really miffed at having bowled so well for no wickets and a stack of runs.

I bet his foot is sore tonight This was a great toss to win - losing would have given more recovery time to GMcG...

 

 

C.

[UK-Fishing-Tackle.co.uk]

Losing would have meant a turning wicket by day two or three which would have been an even bigger disaster. The second innings (if there is one) could be very interesting!!

[awaaar]

Mcgrath looked like he was struggling with his ankle late on yesterday.....I'll bet he will be when those cortisone injections wear off - ouch!

[chevin]

Had to laugh, David Lloyed was saying how wrong the forecast was. It is is supposed to be the hottest day of the summer but it is only 17C. It was supposed to he 23C here today, but we were complaining because it was only 17C. Middle of the winter here though!

 

It rained here as well.

[awaaar]

Chevin - it was supposed to be the hottest day in HISTORY over here today LOL...it's freezin in Lancashire

 

Bookies won't mind though, they've took loads of bets on it....

[chevin]

Yeah 17C is freezing here too! Even in the middle of winter. Had a fire on most of the day! I nipped out while it was raining just to pick an orange and even the rain was cold!

 

I would think that Gillespie has a nice warm feeling at the moment though. But he must be feeling the icy grip of realisation that his days in the Aussie team must surely be numbered. Shame, he has been a good bowler for the team in the past, but he can't hold his place on past results - we need our bowlers to take wickets now.

[awaaar]

he just knocked over Jones!..

 

They were showing a comparison between his bowling action in 2001 and 2005...

 

The only difference I noticed is that he needs a bloody good haircut, then he may take a few more wickets....LOL

[Elton]

Loved today's play. Managed to sneak a bit of viewing in between work. Failing that, it was constant refreshes on the BBC site

[chevin]

Hey Awaar they couldn't be wrong about it being fine on Sunday and Monday could they?

 

Very often during the match I have heard a crowd of guys chanting a couple of words. What are they saying. It is very repetative and I would think that they would drive you up the wall if they were sitting close to them!

[UK-Fishing-Tackle.co.uk]

Now, is anyone out there at least a tiny bit concerned about our declaration??? I appreciate the commentators etc all prediciting it (so I am probably a cretin who knows FA), BUT the Aussies go into tomorrow NOW needing 400.

 

I know it's a big task, but the one side I wouldn't pick to go against like that are Australia(!). Say the Aussies bat well (it is possible) and make 300 for tea for say about three or four wickets, then that leaves a pretty dicey last session for England....

 

I know England probably didn't have much left, but an extra 20 runs today for England would have left the Aussies needing 450 tomorrow...

 

Either way England still need to bowl them out in 90 overs tomorrow so I feel they've gained precious little this evening AND potentially have given Australia a 'slim chance' of taking the match!

 

The Aussies NEED to bat tomorrow, and I am sure will happily take the draw if needs be, but I think people calling it a draw already might be jumping the gun!

 

{rant}

 

I must add that despite Gilchrist having a bad day I think the commentators are a bit unfair drawing comparisons with him and Geriant!

 

Firstly Gilchrist is clearly approaching the end of his (fantastic) career and is not being flagged as being 'a bright young talent' (isn't Jones 29!). Secondly most of his blunders came against Warne (who is without a doubt a considerably better talent than Giles, and does make the ball move a great deal more). Thirdly BYES, forget wickets or catches but doesn't Jones seem (not checked the stats) to let a lot of byes through?? Also in previous matches Jones has simply been poor as a keeper - even Gilchrist is allowed a bad day!!

 

{rant over}